Battle for the Bell: Edison shuts out Fountain Valley, 24-0

Edison quarterback Matthew Gane keeps the ball and tries to make it through a hole in the line against Fountain Valley in the second quarter of varsity football Friday night at Orange Coast College.SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

COSTA MESA – It's tough to say whether Edison's Marcus Swanigan is better on offense or defense. Friday night provided no clear answer other than that he's good at both. Sometimes, he might even be the best player on the field.

The senior starred at tailback and defensive end in his return from a shoulder injury, lifting the Chargers to a 24-0 win against Fountain Valley at Orange Coast College.

“It feels good to be back,” Swanigan said. “If they need me on offense, I'll be there. If they need me on defense, I'll be there.”

And he was. Swanigan rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown on eight carries, twice breaking free for huge gains that set up touchdowns. He added three sacks and another tackle for loss as part of a stifling defensive effort by the Chargers.

No. 12 Edison (6-3, 3-1) walked away from its ninth consecutive win in the series, known as the “Battle for the Bell,” in a three-way tie for first place in the Sunset League, alongside Los Alamitos and Newport Harbor. The Chargers are in prime position to win at least a share of the title as they close out the regular season next week against last-place Marina.

No. 14 Fountain Valley (6-3, 2-2) lost its second consecutive game and, in fourth place, is in danger of missing out on an automatic playoff berth. The Barons play at Los Alamitos next week.

Swanigan's 53-yard scamper late in the third quarter led to a Matt Gane 1-yard touchdown run, giving the Chargers a 24-0 lead. Edison took a 17-0 lead just before halftime on Swanigan's 4-yard touchdown run.

The rest of the evening belonged to Edison's defense, as it forced four turnovers, collected five sacks and didn't allow Fountain Valley inside the red zone. White acknowledged he has been surprised by the Chargers' defensive dominance, this after they returned just two starters from the unit that ultimately led the school to a CIF title last season.

“We thought that would be kind of our weakness this year,” White said. “We sure are scrappy and we sure play hard. We make teams play hard. We make teams earn it.”

The Barons gained just 7 yards on the ground in the first half. They went three-and-out on four consecutive drives, a sequence that was interrupted by an interception.

The Chargers jumped out to an early lead when quarterback Christian Heffelman went over the top and found an open Diego Velez for a 51-yard touchdown on the team's opening possession. Heffelman soon exited after suffering a broken collarbone while being sacked.

Related Links

Edison quarterback Matthew Gane keeps the ball and tries to make it through a hole in the line against Fountain Valley in the second quarter of varsity football Friday night at Orange Coast College. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Members of the Edison Honor Guard sport identical white wigs and face paint in the stands of Friday night's game against Fountain Valley at Orange Coast College. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Edison fans painted various shades of green shout from the stands during Friday night's game against Fountain Valley at Orange Coast College. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A Fountain Valley fan wearing a crown and not a whole lot more waves a pair of towels from the stands during Friday night's game against Edison at Orange Coast College. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Fountain Valley quarterback Scott Schultz pitches the ball forward and misses his target in Friday night against Edison at Orange Coast College. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Edison linebacker Manase Time jumps past a Fountain Valley lineman as he gets to quarterback Scott Schultz in the second quarter of varsity football Friday night at Orange Coast College. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Edison wide receiver Marcus Epps breaks away from the pack as he returns a punt against Fountain Valley in varsity football Friday night at Orange Coast College. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Fountain Valley wide receiver Anthony Arevalos collides with Edison defensive back Kiante Goudeau as they both try to haul in a pass, which is later ruled incomplete. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Edison wide receiver Diego Velez hauls in a touchdown pass in the first quarter against Fountain Valley in varsity football Friday night at Orange Coast College. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Edison linebacker Josh Marks pulls down Fountain Valley wide receiver Anthony Arevalos in varsity football Friday night at Orange Coast College. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Edison running back Marcus Swanigan runs over the goal line late in the second quarter against Fountain Valley in varsity football Friday night at Orange Coast College. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Edison running back Marcus Swanigan is congratulated by team mates after sscoring a touchdown in the second quarter against Fountain Valley in varsity football Friday night at Orange Coast College. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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